It is important for your doctor to know which of these symptoms you mean when you say, "I am dizzy," because the cause, diagnosis, and treatment are different for each symptom. When someone complains of dizziness, the symptom is vertigo only about half of the time.

For more information about whether your symptom really is vertigo, see the topic Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo. It can help you tell the difference between vertigo and other types of dizziness.

Credits

By

Healthwise Staff

Primary Medical Reviewer

Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine

Specialist Medical Reviewer

Barrie J. Hurwitz, MD - Neurology

Last Revised

April 12, 2012

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